Premier League - the New Year fixtures

More great work from William Kedjanyi, keejayOV2, while his Wordpress site is out of action. Manwhile, I'll just chug along with my old Nokia, I mean Blogger, site...

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PREMIER LEAGUE previews 30/12 - 1/1

Hull (10/3) v Everton (Evs)
Everton are beginning to turn things around slightly. After a long winless run, they have finally begun to get some results together, taking advantage of a low intensity Arsenal performance to win here a couple of weeks ago and going down in the last seconds to rivals Liverpool. They took advantage again of weak opposition on Boxing Day when winning a poor game at Leicester in with both sides failed to inspire. Hull, however, look headed tor relegation although they were giving Manchester City a hard time until a Yay Tour penalty opened the floodgates, and this could be tight. That said, in Romelu Luaku and Kevin Mirallas they do have forward threats and they should be able to competitive competitively in the midfield. Hull looked good when Robert Snodgrass had the ball on Boxing Day and will try for that again here but they’ve lost four of their last five and this could be the same story.
Advice: No bet

Burnley (29/20) v Sunderland (12/5)
It took a stunning and lucky late winner from Andre Gray to take Burnley above Middlesbrough but it proved how hard they are to beat at home and they have to be worth chancing to beat Sunderland here. That now makes it 19 of their 20 point tally and 15 of their 17 goals that have come at Turf Moor and it’s worth remembering how well they played in one goal defeats at West Ham and Tottenham. Sunderland should find this easier than Old Trafford and have improved in recent weeks but this is a very tough task.
Advice: 1 pt Burnley (29/20 Hills)

Chelsea (1/4) v Stoke (13)
Only Arsenal’s famous Invincibles have gone on a longer consecutive winning streak than this Chelsea aside and based on Stoke’s 4-1 thumping that they received at the hands of fellow contenders Liverpool they can make it 13 here. They coped with the cost of Diego Costa without a bother against Bournemouth as Pedro put in his best performance of the season in tandem with Hazard to take Bournemouth. They should
Advice: No bet.

Leicester (11/10) v West Ham (11/4)
With every single week that passes, Leicester look in more and more danger of relegation and their “performance” against Everton was as bad as we’ve seen. Their 4-2 win against Manchester City appears to be a blip and they’re in serious trouble, still missing Fuchs and Huth in defence. West Ham may not still look like the side of last year but they have gotten the wolves away from their door with three wins in a row over Christmas and they didn’t need much invitation to take apart a dreadful Swansea side on Boxing Day. At times Leicester have looked at least as bad and they are worth chancing for a fourth straight win on the bounce.
Advice: 1 pt West Ham (11/4 general)

Manchester United (1/4) v Middlesbrough (16)
Jose has found the team he likes and it’s now four on the bounce in the league for Manchester United, who moved through the gears with aplomb against Sunderland in what was an easy win. Middlesbrough were unlucky not to take a pint from their trip to Turf Moor but they have won just one game on the road and this will be a different test altogether, with Paul Pogba now operating as he did at Juventus and Zlatan Ibrahimović having scored 50 goals this year and 16 this season. With Henrikh Mikhitaryan now being used to full effect Middlesbrough could be overwhelmed and United can put space between them and the visitors.
Advice: 3 pts Manchester United -1 (4/5 general)

Southampton (3/4) v West Brom (9/2)
Southampton finally got beaten at home when Spurs proved to be far too good for them but that was just their second home defeat of the campaign (the other coming to Chelsea) and it’s more likely the onus will be on them to break down West Brom, who made Arsenal pull out all the stops on Boxing Day. It took Oliver Giroud’s bullet heard to get past Ben Foster that day but Southampton have the height to compete in all areas – Jose Fonte and Virgil Van Dijk being two tall centrebacks – and the overall quality to find away past West Brom, even if they have to work very hard for it. The one goal winning margin might be the best value but the hosts can get back on track.
Advice: 1 pt West Brom to win by 1 goal (5/2 Sky Bet)

Swansea (19/10 v Bournemouth (13/8)
Swansea could well be much improved for having jettisoned Bob Bradley but the fact remains that this is a far simpler assignment for Bournemouth than other of their last two assignments, namely the visit of Southampton and a trip to League leaders Chelsea. Bournemouth were outplayed on both those occasions but here the likes of Jack Wilshere and Benik Afobe have a chance to impose themselves on the game here and Bournemouth are good to enough to take the three points.
Advice: 1 pt win Bournemouth (13/8 Hills)

Liverpool (11/8) v Manchester City (2)
They say to save the best for last and the Premier League has done that by making the last match of 2016 a huge title clash between Liverpool and Manchester City. Liverpool, unbeaten in their last 15 at Anfield, are understandably slight favourites but the individual quality in a City side that has proven clinical and resilient in December to keep on the trails of Chelsea. About the only thing to be expected is goals – the two have scored 159 goals between them in 2016 and Sergio Augero is returned from his suspension. Goal scoring markets are incredibly short already but over 3.5 could be the bet, or an option including both teams to score in the match outcomes.
Advice: No bet.

Watford (5) v Tottenham (8/13)
Tottenham won their first game on the road in five attempts at Southampton but they were deeply impressive in running out 4-1 winners at Southampton, becoming only the second side to do so, the other being Chelsea. Dele Alli was hugely influential that day as they slowly dominated midfield through the second half and they can be too good for Watford. The Hornets have lost four of their last six and were bested in the first half by Crystal Palace.
Advice: 2 pts Tottenham (7/10 Hills, Coral)

Arsenal (1/3) v Crystal Palace (9)
Arsenal have had their December struggles but with Liverpool and Manchester City playing eachother they’ve got a big chance to put themselves on the coattails of Chelsea with victory over Crystal Palace. Based on their home form they should have too much for Palace, although the visitors looks improved for the sacking of Alan Pardew when they drew with Watford and they nicked a point from them last year after being dominated so this has the look of a banana skin. Oliver Giroud’s header has broken past Sunderland and West Brom already this season and he is an interesting goalscorer option.
Advice: No bet.

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About Me

Former Head of Education at Betfair, now in the outside world stirring up controversy, keeping punters informed and doing a bit of consulting and writing. Proud Australian who has been 'visiting' London for a few too many years now. Available for betting editorial, previews and industry comment. Contact me at scottf at journalist.com.Now regularly covering major race meetings and sporting events via guest blogger previews. Keen to have a go? Drop me a line...